Flame arrester



May 30, 1939. Q SPAETH l 2,160,684 l FLAME ARBESTER Filed May 28, 1957' 2 sheets-sheet `1 l 4 ATTORNEYS May 30, 1939.

FLAME ARREST E R Filed May 28, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Y 33 3 El l l@ Z Jg-5 INVENTOR f "30 ww MW ATTORNEYS Patented May 30, 1939 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

My invention relates tol flame arresters of that general type adapted for use on tanks in which inammable materials such as oil and gasoline are stored.

It has long been the customI to provide the larger sizes of oil storage tanks with emergency valves, in order to permit the escape of vapors to the atmosphere and thus relieve excess pressures which may develop in such receptacles. This l0 escape of inflammable vapors proved hazardous particularly in the event of a re in the vicinity of the tanks, due to the possibility of the name being communicated to the contents of the tank, through the vent opening in the emergency valve.

According to the present invention a novel form of relief valve having associated therewith means for preventing flame from reaching the contents of the storage receptacle is provided.

One of the principal objects of the present` invention is to provide a combined ame arrester and valve of such construction as to permit of ready assembly and disassembly for installation and cleaning purposes respectively.

A further object of the invention is to provide an economical design in which a maximum discharge area is provided and in which the flame arrester parts are conveniently supported and housed.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from a consideration of this specication in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view partly in section and partly broken away showing the construction of the valve and valve hood;

Figure 2 is a staggered section on the line 2--2l of Figure 3;

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3 3 of Figure 1;

4 Figure 4 is a fragmentary view partly in section of the perforated plates and clamping ring;

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Figure 4; and

Figure 6 is a section taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 1.

Referring more particularly tothe drawings the numeral I denotes a tubular valve body in ternally threaded as at 2, for screw connection with the breather pipe of a storage receptacle, neither of which are shown.

A dome shaped hood 3 encloses the top of the tubular valve body I and is connected to the former by means of bolts 4, which pass through' threaded spacing lugs 5, integral with the hood and engage in openings 6, in an enlargement or ring 'I formed on the upper end of the valve body. The hood 3 is provided with an outwardly curved depending annular apron 8 for a purpose presently described.

The ring or enlargement I of the valve body' 5 is provided with an annular seat 9 for a disk shaped valve It, which is adapted to be lifted from its seat whenever excess pressure is generated in the storage tank. Guide ribs II formed on the inner face of the hood 3, are engaged by the 10 periphery of the valve I, during the movements of the latter. The valve is additionally centered and guided by means of a piston like plunger I2 projecting upwardly from a spider i3 and adapted to reciprocate in a hollow cylindrical guide I4, 15 formed centrally of the hood 3, it being essential that the Valve movement be accurateand smooth. When the valve is moved from its seat by excess pressure in the storage receptacle, vapor will escape through the annular space or chamber I5 20 surrounding the top of the valve body and thence to the atmosphere.

To guard against flame being communicated to the contents of the tank through the medium of the escaping vapor I provide a flame arrested de- 25 vice composed of a plurality of perforated bronze plates I6, adjacent the eXit end of the annular vapor space or vent I5. These plates are sup ported in superposed relationship Within an annular holder I'I, comprising two similar semi-cir- 30 cular hinged portions I8 and I9. The part I8 is formed with a single hinge lug 2U, at one side and two spaced hinge lugs 2l at the other side thereof, while the part I9 has two corresponding spaced lugs 22, at one side between which the 35 lug 2i) is reoeived'and at its other side th-e part i9 has a single lug 23 adap-ted tol be received between the spaced lugs 2|. All these lugs are apertured for the reception of the respective clevis or hinge pins 24 and 25. When the cotterpins are in place the holder Il is clamped tightly about the valve body I. Bolts 26 passing through apertured lugs 2l and 28, respectively formed on the apron 8 and the upper outer edge of the holder il, secure the holder to the dome 3. 45

The bottom of holder Il is of spider like formation and projecting upwardly therefrom are apertured lugs 29, upon which the stack of plates rest, apertures 30 in one plate being preferably staggered with respect to the apertures 3l) in the 0 next adjacent plate. An annular clamping ring 3|, also of spider like construction and formed with apertured lugs 32, seats upon the topmost plate IB. Studs 33 extend through the lugs 32 and 29 and clamp the plates tightly in the holder. 55

Intermediate spacing rings 34 separate 'adjacent plates from each other.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the plates can be easily installed and as easily removed for cleaning. It will also be noted that the plates being coextensive with the outlet end of the entire annular space l5, excess pressure will instantly be relieved Without danger of back pressure from trapped vapor.

What I claim is:

1. The combination with a tubular valve body having its lower end communicating With a storage tank for volatile liquids, a hood positioned over the top end of said valve body and spaced therefrom to provide an annular chamber communicating with the atmosphere, a plate holder communicating with said annular chamber and comprising two sernicircular members, means for hinging said members together, means for securing said members to the valve body, and a plurality of perforated plates removably supported in said holder.

2. The combination with a tubular valve body having one end communicating with a storage tank for volatile liquids, a hood positioned over the other end of said valve body and spaced therefrom to provide an annular chamber, a two part hinged annular plate holder open at its ends, means for clamping said plate holder about said valve body in communication with said annular chamber and the atmosphere, a plurality of spaced perforated plates removably supported in said holder and means for securing said holder to said hood.

CHARLES SPAETH. 

